Books like A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
Set in the quiet Midwestern town of Prairie Center, A Map of the World follows the Goodwin family as they navigate the fallout of a tragic accident in their farm’s pond. The death of a neighbor’s child thrusts Alice Goodwin into the role of scapegoat, while unresolved tensions with her daughter, husband, and the town’s residents further erode the family’s fragile cohesion.
As Alice wrestles with guilt and a history that resurfaces, the story moves from personal crisis to a harrowing court trial. The novel examines themes of responsibility, community judgment, and the lasting impact of a single mistake on a family’s trajectory.
First publish date: 1994
Genre: Family & Domestic Fiction/Parenthood & Family Fiction
Authors: Jane Hamilton
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